Why Do I Need Two Hearing Aids? Understanding the Benefits of Binaural Hearing
When it comes to addressing hearing loss, one of the most common questions we receive at High Peak Hearing is, "Why do I need two hearing aids?" It’s a fair question, especially if one ear seems to have more significant hearing loss than the other. However, the truth is that our brain is wired to hear with two ears, a process known as binaural hearing, and fitting two hearing aids can vastly improve your auditory experience. Let’s break down why two hearing aids are typically recommended and how modern technology has made them even more powerful.
The Importance of Binaural Hearing
Our brains are designed to process sound from both ears simultaneously. This is called binaural hearing, and it offers several key advantages:
Improved Sound Localisation: One of the primary benefits of having two hearing aids is that it makes it much easier to identify where sounds are coming from. With only one hearing aid, it can be difficult to determine the direction of sounds, which can be frustrating in everyday environments like traffic, crowded places, or even at home.
Better Speech Understanding in Noise: In noisy environments, two hearing aids allow your brain to separate speech from background noise more effectively. This means you’ll be able to have more natural conversations in busy settings like restaurants or social events.
Balanced Hearing: Hearing through two ears creates a sense of balance. When you only wear one hearing aid, sounds on the unamplified side may feel muffled or distorted, making the listening experience less comfortable.
Reduced Listening Fatigue: When your brain has to compensate for hearing loss in one ear, it has to work much harder to process sounds. This can lead to fatigue, particularly after long conversations or social gatherings. Two hearing aids reduce this strain, making listening a much more comfortable experience.
How Wireless Technology Enhances Binaural Hearing Aids
Thanks to recent advancements in hearing aid technology, modern devices are designed to work together seamlessly to provide an even better listening experience. This is possible due to wireless technology, which allows the two hearing aids to communicate with each other in real-time. Here’s how it works:
Binaural Coordination: With wireless hearing aids, the two devices share information about your listening environment. For example, if you're in a noisy area, both hearing aids will adjust their settings automatically to reduce background noise and focus on the sounds that matter most, like speech. This happens without you having to make any manual adjustments.
Directional Microphones: Wireless hearing aids use directional microphone technology, which enhances speech coming from a specific direction while reducing unwanted background noise. This works particularly well when the two devices are connected, helping the brain focus on important sounds, like conversations, while diminishing distracting noise.
Stereo Sound: Just like with stereo speakers, having two hearing aids allows you to hear in stereo, providing a richer and fuller sound experience. When both ears are working together, music, conversations, and environmental sounds become more natural and clear.
Advanced Features: Some wireless hearing aids even feature streaming capabilities, allowing you to stream phone calls, music, and other audio directly into both ears. This enhances clarity and can make these activities much more enjoyable and accessible.
Long-Term Benefits
In addition to the immediate advantages, using two hearing aids also has long-term benefits:
Brain Health: Studies suggest that untreated hearing loss, particularly when only one ear is supported, can lead to cognitive decline over time. Keeping both ears engaged with two hearing aids can help stimulate the brain and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Consistency: Using two hearing aids helps keep the auditory system balanced and prevents the "good ear" from taking on too much strain. This means both ears can work together to maintain better overall hearing health.
Is There Ever an Exception?
While two hearing aids are generally recommended, there are exceptions for those with single-sided deafness (SSD) or very limited hearing in one ear. In these cases, special hearing solutions like CROS (Contralateral Routing of Signal) or BiCROS systems may be recommended to route sound from the deaf ear to the functioning ear. Even then, the goal is still to deliver sound to both ears to provide a balanced listening experience.
Conclusion: Two Ears, Two Aids, Better Hearing
The science is clear—binaural hearing is how we’re meant to experience the world. By using two hearing aids, you’re giving your brain the tools it needs to provide better sound quality, improved localisation, and a more natural listening experience. The wireless technology in modern hearing aids makes them even more powerful by ensuring that the devices work together, delivering the best possible sound experience no matter where you are.
If you’ve been unsure about whether you need two hearing aids, we hope this clears up the benefits of binaural hearing. For personalised advice and a full hearing assessment, feel free to reach out to us at High Peak Hearing. We’re here to help you achieve the best possible hearing outcomes!
